Kenyans set to redeem their golf glory: Professionals drawn from nine counties will take centre stage

SPORTS-GOLF-NJUGUNA NGUGI; Nyali's professional golfer Njuguna Ngugi makes a swing.[Maarufu Mohamed,Standard]

Uganda will host the 2017 Tusker Malt Championship.

Uganda Golf Course, lying on Kampala City’s Kitante swamp, will this week host the 2017 Tusker Malt Uganda open golf championship.

Professional golfers drawn from nine countries will take centre stage after the Ladies open early in the month, and last week’s Amateur’s event that saw Kenya lose to Tanzania’s Eaton Angel and Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo respectively.

The re-designed par 72 course, especially on holes 4 and 10 and the Challenging bunkers on holes 12 and 18, will again be haunting Kenyans from today to Saturday.

Kenya’s 40 professional golfers will be battling for an estimated Sh1.2 million prize money by sponsors Kenya Breweries under their brand Tusker Malt Lager.

They are all set to regain their glory which they lost to South African golfer Joshua Seale.

The 27-year-old Seale arrived in Kampala last week and has been practising to defend the title.

“Well I am in good form and ready to go," said Seale who is a Regular Sunshine and MENA golf tour player.

Muthaiga’s Kopan Timbe and Stefan Anderssen, who last year shared the third slot on 291 gross each behind Zambia’s Madalisto Muthiya, are among the Kenyans expected to be in Kampala.

Other countries participating in the tournament include Namibia, Portugal, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and hosts Uganda.

The official opening and Pro-Am will be played today with among other Amateurs Limuru’s Paul Muchangi, who last week claimed third slot in the Amateurs category, already in Kampala.

The pros start first round of 18 holes for 72 holes tomorrow before facing a cut after the second rounds of 18 holes on Thursday.

Those who will make it, will face each other for the third rounds of 18 holes on Friday and finalise the last 18 holes on Saturday where the overall winner of 2017 will be declared.

Uganda Golf Club Captain Joseph Bagabo yesterday assured the golfers that the course was in the best form.

Nyali Club Golf professional Njuguna Ngugi assured Kenyans that they are prepared to shine.

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